Walking Bridge in Omaha

The weather finally cooled down so we could plan a little tourist trip to the "Walking Bridge" over the Missouri in Omaha. It connects Iowa to Nebraska. It was fun as we met up with another missionary couple who had their grandchildren visiting. It was great fun to experience this through the eyes of 3 very active little boys and their tiny little toddler sister. Wish we had more photos.

Love this typical view of the Missouri River with sunflowers growing along the side.

Quilt Show at the Mormon Trail Center

Missionaries serving at the Quilt Show - an annual event exhibiting quilts that are even 100 years old.

The first photo is a quilt designed by Sister Wright (pictured in the green sweater) and created by her and the young sister missionaries. Sweet, supportive Elder Wright is standing in the back and our loved Sis. Weston is also pictured on the 2nd row. A few of the precious young sister missionaries are also pictured. What a beautiful and sweet spirit of dedication and love is felt at this visitors center.

The following photos are a sample of this quilters heaven - quilts from all over Nebraska as well as other states. Some displayed are 100 years old. 

New Missionaries

A few days ago, 11 new missionaries arrived at Winterquarters! 

This is a mission where the pioneer spirit lingers, influences and strengthens.

This area is a beautiful, productive country, full of history of pioneers, Native Americans, railroad, goldrushers, explorers -- people seeking adventure and a better life. There are many stories that began, continued or ended here - stories of courage, faith, determination. What was the edge of U.S. civilization in 1846 is now the Heartland of the United States. Omaha area - a land culture, of friendliness, corn, beans and yes, the land of the Huskers. Frolicking animals - squirrels, bunnies, deer, turkeys  - can be seen on most days while driving down the rural roads and at the visitor centers.

This beautiful sister missionary represents the precious sisters we senior missionaries are privileged to work with. 

Zone Conference in Sioux City, Iowa

Traveling to zone conference in Sioux City means getting up at 4:30 a.m. to be on the road early to travel about 2 hours from Omaha and arrive there by 8:00 a.m. Though it seemed way to early, it didn't take long for our carload to wake up and cheerfully greet the day with non stop conversation, which was music to my ears. Our travel inn the car seemed quick as we chatted about art, music and literature. We had a wonderful day with music and counsel and instruction of encouragement.  Late afternoon, after conference was over, two carloads of seniors and sister missionaries took a short trip (about 15 minutes) to South Dakota where we all got out and enjoyed the fresh air and the bean fields.
The Nebraska Omaha mission is the most wonderful place to serve!!

Sweet Sabbath Day

As missionaries, our Sabbath Day is a little unusual. Typically, we begin our Sunday with a 7:00 a.m. missionary coordination meeting with the Bellview 2nd Ward missionaries plus an Elder companionship and a Sister companionship, which is a 30 minute drive from our apartment. (Before leaving our apartment we must prepare lunch and other snacks as we will not return to our apartment until about 6:00 p.m.) Leaving the meeting, we drive 20 minutes to the Kanesville Tabernacle where we are scheduled to do the tours from 9:30 to 1:00. (It is lovely to have an hour before the tours begin in which we can study or update this blog, etc. in this peaceful setting.) Our Sacrament meeting begins at 2:00 in the afternoon. We leave church about 5:15 and often have firesides in the evening that are missionary experiences where we sometimes are the rides for sister missionaries or those who are wanting to come back to church. It isn't unusual for us to be tired after such a full day - but it is a day full of wonderful spiritual experiences.